The first of two blogs about Christmas as experienced on the War Front and here on the Home Front.
The Front Line
Christmas in Serangoon/Changi POW camps, Singapore 1942
From the Diary of my Great Grandfather Lt. (QM) R G Read of 118th Field Regiment RA, who spent three and a half years as a prisoner of the Japanese. He made it home to Aber in December 1945, and is commemorated at Llanbadarn Fawr War Memorial.
20th "Hear that we are to move shortly, back to Changi. Don't relish this as things are better here. Attended Service. Carols sung. Many a thought for home. Another very dry Xmas."
21st "Nothing definite about move. No other news of mail. Rumours of the above run rife. The Shoe Shine Chokos give first concert. A jolly good show. Livened us all up."
22nd " A party of sick got to Changi today. Mostly people who cannot work. So it looks like a 16 mile march for those of us that go on the 27th. We fear not."
23rd "A couple of Letters delivered to camp, other mail said to be in the process of sorting. Get a few oddments together for Xmas."
24th " . . . 'Tasuma' tomorrow. Permission to buy a certain quantity of Clinical Brandy (fire water). Church service 11.15pm Padre Duckworth (cox for Cambridge) '4 Seasons.'
25th "Troops fed very well, Xmas pud made from Sago flour + Rice Flour. Concert Parties in evening. Church Service + Communion. Carols sung all over camp. All boys bright and cheery in spite of being POW."
26th " Another Holiday, Packing for trek back to Changi. Not quite so happy."
26th December 1942 "Troops leave Serangoon POW camp 10:30 arrive 18:00hrs all pretty sore. Lucky to be on lorry with food + kits. New quarters in Quadrant Road. Quite a treat to be under decent cover again in the day. Many people still suffering from lack of vitamins. Diet centre opened.'
Simon Burgess
Author's Website : www.richardgeorgeread.com
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